High School can yours run around at break times?

[purpleme12]

My child started high school in September

They're not allowed to run about even outside at break time or dinner time.

It's not that there is not enough space.

Is this a rule in general at high school? Or just my child's?

My child likes to be up doing stuff so it really helps her to run about so I think she misses that.

I hate that they have this rule

Yes. Ours have a massive field and are allowed to roam wide and free. A lot of mostly boys play football. They run loads of sporty lunchtime clubs too

Ours encouraged it! Plenty of outdoor space for rugby, football etc practice

Yes definitely. And there are Astro pitches for sport.

Yes, ds's school has a large playground, and playing fields. Lunchtimes, there is usually football, basketball or rounders. They are expected to get some fresh air unless it's raining heavily or very cold.

They have staggered lunch and breaks, so need to be in the designated area, which includes the field in summer.

The can "sign out" sports equipment.

Last summer the boys got a week long football ban and the girls had a blast on the field with the balls!

So it's not normal then

(There is a specific field for sports but that is used for actual sports/sports clubs, not where they spend their break/dinner

I want to feed back about this

I really feel it's detrimental to my child that she can't run about. She has to sit and be cooped up all the time in school

But I don't know how to phrase it so it sounds right and I'll be listened to, if there's even any chance of being listened to

It’s very poor that, certainly at my school there are loads of spaces for running around, ball games etc at break and lunch.
I think you could address several issues, physical fitness, easier to concentrate in class after a movement break, the importance of exercise on mental health, all things a school should be trying to improve.

Thanks good ideas

Think I will do this

I kind of asummed it was normal

That's crazy. My last school used to actively encourage it, kids could borrow skipping ropes, hoops, balls etc.

It was great at primary school. It's the absolute opposite now

Unless they'll come back saying children can have exercise at dinner by doing the sports clubs.... But that's completely different to me.

You should be able to run about in normal break times to me

I would start by asking why they cant. Could be noise (especially if there are staggered breaks), space, time etc.

So you think I should just say my child says this and can you tell me why?

Before I say anything about this?

I mean if they give their reasons, should I still email back with why I think it's bad?

They can on the field and it’s actively encouraged. They’re not allowed to on the paved areas.

My DD is in primary school and is not allowed to run at break times.
absolutely ridiculous rule if you ask me.

I work in a secondary school and we allow students on the field at break and there are no rules they cannot run about but I rarely see any of them running. Sadly once they get to secondary the running and playing tends to stop.

Wow that is really bad of primary school 😔

It is sad that it tends to stop 😔

But even to have it not banned would be great

Ours are allowed to play sports on the Astro and do what the like in the wider grounds

Yes. Mine has a huge field where they can do what they like. My son used to play football mostly,

This might be helpful:
www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-children-and-young-people/

I have worked in high schools and most teenagers don't want to run around at breaks. They can go to clubs if the school run them which I think most teachers don't want to as it's their time to chill.
Why doesn't she just ask the school if there are any lunchtime clubs she can go to?
High school ain't primary school and what they did at primary school is very different now they are becoming young adults.

Well I accept that a lot might not run about.
But she does want to run/be active/do a bit of gymnastics/something that doesn't involve sitting or standing around. And either way I believe they should have that option.

I have tried to encourage clubs because I do think that would be good for her but unfortunately I don't think her friends go to any and it's a confidence thing. But that's not actually what I'm talking about though. I think you shouldn't be forbidden from being active in the normal field or wherever you have break time.

Although most of the replies above make it sound like the children are still running about/being active at break time at their schools

Yeah, they still run around loads at ours. All years tbh, even the sixth formers like to play during the summer and early autumn months

I'm going to email about it

Sadly I don't have much faith that I'll make a difference 😔

But I feel I should shouldn't I